Chapter Four

"Erica, what are you doing here?" Gregory stared at the elegant woman wearing a golden dress and a band fashioned like an Asp around her forehead.

The woman strolled to the desk. "Looks like I saved your butt, sugar. Wonder what she would have done to you if I hadn't shown up? She sure was fired up. You can thank your dear daddy for inviting me. Wasn't it sweet of him?" Erica gently pushed him into the chair, dropped onto his lap, and twirled a finger around his ear. "You know I'm much better for you than that little prude. Ask me to marry you and you can have my answer right now."

Gregory sat still, refusing to wrap his arms around her or respond. Quietly he told her, "But I love Maribeth, Erica. It really was just sex with us and a big mistake. I won't be calling you again."

Erica jumped up and shoved the office chair hard. It flipped over backwards. Gregory hit the floor with a satisfying thump. "You had me convinced you loved me. I hope you get just what you deserve, you lying polecat. And you're right—you won't be calling me again." She stomped from the room, cursing beneath her breath.

Gregory slowly rolled to his feet, brushed off his jacket, and righted the chair. Wonder who else I can infuriate tonight? He needed a good stiff drink. And he mustn't forget dear old dad waited for him to come glad-hand the schmucks he'd invited, including the lieutenant governor. The things Gregory knew about that man might just pave the way for his own political career. And he'd found them out from the man's beautiful red-headed daughter. Amazing what a little pillow talk often revealed.

He heard thunder rumble overhead then saw lightning flash through the window. The storm had definitely blown in, inside and out. A few seconds later the lights went out, throwing the room into total darkness.

Gregory heard a door open and close. Footsteps came toward him. No one spoke, but a familiar scent reached him.

"Who's there? Maribeth? Wait a second, I'll light the candles." He wouldn't give up hope. Maybe Maribeth had returned for them to patch up their differences. For her, he might actually try to give up other women. But Greg knew himself too well. No babe, I'll just have to find a way around that problem...

Gregory took a cautious step toward the desk to find matches.

"Don't bother. You won't need any light," a voice huskily whispered.

As a streak of lightning arced across the night sky, an agonizing pain between Gregory's shoulder blades stopped him in his tracks. He reached back, gasping for air, trying to call out for help as he fell to the floor. The footsteps moving away were the last thing he heard while struggling for a breath. He lay on the floor, alone—Oh God, so all alone—growing numb and cold.

"Maribeth," he whispered. "Mari... Mari..." With a gurgle, his life ended.